1). Web Graphics Software by Xara (via Metafilter- Windows 9x/NT/2K). I’ve used Xara 3D in the past as a shortcut to making animated text. Xara 3D is fast, cool, and can export as animated .gif’s. XaraX is competing with Macromedia Freehand and Adobe Illustrator… XaraX is much faster, easier to use, and lacking the bloat of most full studio rendering applications. Another product from Xara is Xara Webstyle, which is designed to create text, buttons, lines etc… and even export javascript for rollovers. Very cool… Make sure you register your software. Xara, Inc has told me personally that almost 98 percent of it’s user base is operating unlicensed software… These guys aren’t microsoft, they deserve to get paid.
2). Next on the list is audiomulch. (Windows 9x/NT/2K via RJ) Audiomulch is an environment for creating music. If you use Fruityloops and Rebirth for computer music composition, try audiomulch. This needs a lot of processor because you edit realtime, but the control and options are limitless. Also he software supports the industry standard VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugin format giving AudioMulch users access to a large and ever increasing number of third-party processes. This is shareware, not crippled. It appears to be in beta, so there is no expiration date as of yet.
3). Also, do visit the software section… the Oct. update is early… pat on the back for me!